Palm Beach Post

'Call me' plea on Web site reunites former couple

A native of Tequesta, Leyla met a boy named Jim Nedin when they both were busing tables at the Jupiter Crab Company in the late 1980s. They dated for one year, then she left for Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J., and earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

Jim stayed in South Florida and became an electrician.

Then Leyla and Jim did all the usual things. Both got married and had children — he had a daughter, Ashley, and she had two boys, Gavin and Jack. Along the way, Leyla enlarged her family by adopting her niece when Leyla's sister was diagnosed with mental illness.

By the time Jim and Leyla reunited, both were divorced and had four children between them. Leyla was teaching school outside Philadelphia and Jim, who won sole custody of his daughter, was working as an electrician.

One day, on a whim, Jim checked out www.classmates.com, found Leyla's name and sent her an e-mail. The subject line said, "Regarding Jim Nedin," and the text of the message simply said, "Call me."

It took a few days, but Leyla finally called.

"I was nervous but we talked for hours. Within a few weeks, I flew down to see him," she said.

The couple was determined to start a life together. Jim quit his job and sold everything, then he and Ashley moved to Pennsylvania, where Leyla taught school for one more year.

Their wedding took place three years ago in September and they moved to Jupiter Farms in November 2002. Leyla teaches first grade at Lake Park Elementary School and Jim recently quit his job to start a home-based business and to be a stay-home dad to the three younger children who are 6, 7 and 8 years old. Leyla's niece is 19 and attends Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

Leyla said being back in Jupiter is perfect.

"These are my roots," she said.

And now that they are settled, the couple is using a creative approach to juggling the demands of work and raising children.

They ventured into the world of inflatable birthday party attractions. They bought bounce houses, waterslides and an 16-foot-high obstacle course with a climbing wall. They named their burgeoning business Nedin To Bounce.

"Now Jimmy is home with the kids and he's available to set up parties," said Leyla.

Once again, Leyla says everything feels right.

"I don't think I could start a business that wasn't child-centered," said Leyla, adding that they settled on party rentals because of their own frustration in planning birthday parties for their children.

"I always struggled to create the perfect party," she said. "(But) how many times can you go bowling?"

The Nedins charge $100 a day for the bounce house on weekdays, $135 on weekends. The larger items go for more and prices are listed on their Web site (www.nedintobounce.com).

Despite the fact that they are supporting four children on a teacher's salary while they get the business going, Leyla is optimistic about the future. Maybe it's because they have their priorities in order.

"You know, the kids help with everything. I believe in teaching them how to work together as a family! We all chip in around here... (but) we put the kids to bed at 8 o'clock on school nights and we make some time for ourselves."

Leyla and Jim Nedin own and run Nedin To Bounce, a venture into the world of inflatable birthday party attractions. The couple is inside one of their bounce houses. They also offer inflatable waterslides and obstacle courses.